Soon after, he paid former manager Sir Alex Ferguson the unlikeliest compliment you could think of - praising the Scotsman for his BANTER in between hairdryer treatments.

Now we've got an insight into the Arsenal dressing room - in particular how "sick" captain Per Mertesacker is for his love of DRAKE.

"Danny, you were excellent on that hotline wing..." (Image: David Price)

Reflecting on his two serious long-term knee injuries since joining the Gunners in 2014, Welbeck paid tribute to how important Mertesacker was in keeping his spirits up.

"It's difficult to put this guy into words," he said. "He is one of the sickest guys, seriously! He just lifts the whole atmosphere up in the dressing room.

(Image: Getty)

"And I think he helped me a lot. He's always there talking to you, giving you advice, asking you how you're feeling. I think once you're injured it can be quite a dark place, but Per was one of the reasons that kept me smiling throughout."

But it is the German's completely unexpected choice in music which is most unexpected - there's no Hasselhoff or hard rock on the speakers when the captain's in the room.

"Per, can I get my Drake albums back once you're done with them please, mate?" (Image: David Price)

"Even his playlist is banging to be fair!" says Welbeck. "It's mad, man. You walk in the dressing room and he's there singing Drake and Future and that.

"You wouldn't expect it if you met Per Mertesacker, but he's a top man. A sick, sick guy!"

Lovely words - but we can only imagine the moves Mertesacker busts out in the dressing room as a result...